Mass. Gaming Commission to host public forum

The Associated PressMembers of the five-person Massachusetts Gaming Commission are shown in this panel of photos taken during a news conference in Boston Tuesday, March 20, 2012. From left the members are: Enrique Zuniga, James F. McHugh, Chairman Steve Crosby, Bruce Stebbins, and Gayle Cameron. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)

Commission members will be joined by policy experts to discuss the Northeast's current gambling market at a Thursday morning forum at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.

The commission will also seek feedback on the legislation's required research that assesses gambling's future economic impact.

Information from the forum will assist the commission in implementing the law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick in November, which allows for the licensing of three casinos and one slots parlor in the state.

But, with casinos in Connecticut and Rhode Island, some industry experts have raised concerns over the economic viability of having three such venues in Massachusetts.